Requirements for information about speakers and participants for ICANN60 in Abu Dhabi

[Elsa S]

Hey all,

Thanks for raising the issue. It has been a question in my mind for a while
now.

Quite honestly, and having worked with Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in the
Gulf for the past 3 years, the selection of UAE in my opinion was oddly
inconsiderate. For instance, I won't be able to make it to the meeting due
to the risk of being interrogated with and possibly arrested merely because
I'm in touch with HRDs in UAE and other parts of the Gulf. It is quite sad
that this was not taken into consideration.

Also, I'm not sure if someone has gotten the chance to read the Abu Dhabi
hand out prepping for the upcoming meeting, but seriously, there are so
many things to consider when in UAE especially women, LGBTIQ individuals,
or a human rights activist.

If anyone needs info on UAE, please do let me know. I'd be happy to share
resources. And it's worth mentioning Ahmed Mansoor at this point for your
info:
https://citizenlab.org/2016/08/million-dollar-dissident-iphone-zero-day-nso-group-uae/

Best,

Elsa
--

On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 2:54 PM, Sam Lanfranco <lanfran at yorku.ca> wrote:

> Michael,
>
> I agree that within ICANN sessions we should not, and would not, put up
> with local versions
> of "false news" with regard to the domestic human rights situation.
> This is different from my situation of concern, which I clarify in my
> response to James Gannon
>
> On 6/29/2017 5:11 AM, Michael Karanicolas wrote:
>
>> <text deleted> But if that subject were to come up, I
>> certainly wouldn't commit to glossing it over for the sake of
>> respecting any understanding ICANN may have reached with the
>> authorities. For example, if a UAE government rep began to wax on
>> about how progressive their policies towards Internet access are, I
>> would feel the need to call them out on that, and I believe that would
>> be absolutely appropriate.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>>


-- 
--

Elsa Saade
Human Rights Officer
Gulf Center for Human Rights
Beirut, Lebanon
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